Horse races have entranced spectators for centuries, from the Greek Olympic Games to modern day racedays where fans wager money and eat high-end food. But horse racing is not without its controversy. The sport is rife with drug abuse, injuries and even death. It is also one of the few industries in which animals are exploited for profit—the equine athletes weigh more than 1,000 pounds, have ankles as big as human feet and are whipped and forced to run around hard-packed dirt tracks at speeds over 30 miles per hour while carrying people on their backs. Aside from the risky nature of the sport, a day at the races can cost you an arm and leg in betting tickets, drinks and other items found at local racetracks.
Individual flat races can take place over a variety of distances, although sprints (races that last less than two miles) and long-distance races known as routes in the United States or staying races in Europe are most common. Regardless of distance, the track’s conditions are important to the outcome of the race. A muddy track can slow down the horses and make it harder for them to gain speed, while a dry track is optimal for racing.
Besides the track conditions, a horse’s performance is also affected by its training regimen and what level of competition it is entering. Trainers can plan a strategy for their horses by looking at the condition book, which is a set of races that will be offered during a specific period of time. This schedule can change depending on the number of entries in a particular race or whether an additional event needs to be added.
Claiming races are open to horses that have broken their maiden but aren’t ready for stakes-level racing. There are many different levels of claiming races, but most of them require the horse to have won at least two or fewer races. Trainers often enter young, inexperienced horses into these races, hoping that they’ll improve and work their way up the ranks. Likewise, older, salty veterans may be entered into claiming races so that they can earn more money before retiring.
When a horse wins a race, it receives prize money in the form of cash or merchandise. It is also eligible for entry in future races based on its record and current standing. Many horses that are retired from racing eventually end up in slaughterhouses, where they are usually turned into glue or dog food. Others, however, are shipped to Canada, Mexico and Japan where their meat is sold for consumption. A recent investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals found that some of these animals are forced to run and are subjected to other forms of cruelty. The investigation revealed that some of the horses are kept in crowded and cramped barns, which can lead to stress and even death. Moreover, the animals are often subjected to cruel training methods that include whipping and over-drugging them. The equine athletes are also frequently sprayed with pesticides.